Ferrule structure

Abstract

A ferrule structure includes: a holding aperture that holds light guide members forming light guides; a recess that is recessed from a connection end surface with respect to a mating ferrule; a first lens array on a base surface that is a bottom surface of the recess; and a first groove that is recessed from the base surface and is on an outer side of the first lens array. The first lens array includes lenses that are aligned with the light guides.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A ferrule structure comprising:
 a holding aperture that holds light guide members forming light guides; 
 a recess that is recessed from a connection end surface with respect to a mating ferrule; 
 a first lens array on a base surface that is a bottom surface of the recess, wherein the first lens array comprises lenses that are aligned with the light guides; 
 a first groove that is recessed from the base surface and is on an outer side of the first lens array; and 
 an inclined step surface between the base surface and a bottom surface of the first groove. 
 
     
     
       2. The ferrule structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the first groove is between one of the lenses at an end part of the first lens array and a side wall surface of the recess. 
     
     
       3. The ferrule structure according to  claim 1 , wherein a width of the base surface between an edge of one of the lenses and the first groove is equal to or smaller than a radius of that lens. 
     
     
       4. The ferrule structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an antireflection film disposed on a surface of one of the lenses; and 
 an inner wall surface of the recess inclined to be wider toward an opening side of the recess. 
 
     
     
       5. The ferrule structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a ferrule body comprising the holding aperture, wherein the holding aperture is on an opening surface of the ferrule body; and 
 a lens plate comprising the recess and the first lens array; and 
 a filling recess in at least one of the ferrule body and the lens plate, wherein 
 the filling recess forms a gap that is filled with a refractive index matching material between the opening surface of the ferrule body and an abutment surface of the lens plate. 
 
     
     
       6. A ferrule structure comprising:
 a holding aperture that holds light guide members forming light guides; 
 a recess that is recessed from a connection end surface with respect to a mating ferrule; 
 a first lens array on a base surface that is a bottom surface of the recess, wherein the first lens array comprises first lenses that are aligned with the light guides; 
 a first groove that is recessed from the base surface and is on an outer side of the first lens array; 
 a second lens array on the base surface, wherein the second lens array comprises second lenses that are aligned with the light guides; and 
 a second groove that is recessed from the base surface and is on an outer side of the second lens array. 
 
     
     
       7. The ferrule structure according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the first lens array and the second lens array are aligned in a direction in which the first lenses of the first lens array are aligned; and 
 a third groove is between the first lens array and the second lens array. 
 
     
     
       8. The ferrule structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the first groove is on an outer side of the base surface that comprises at least two lens arrays.